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THE REC AWAITS


By Behind the Bench
December 1 2016

Saracens face another stiff test in their title defence as they travel to a Bath side which seems to have rediscovered the attacking edge of two seasons ago, whilst improving in defence too, to stand third in the table in the aftermath of last Sunday's one point loss at Harlequins. Certainly the appointment of Todd Blackadder seems to have delivered the desired improvement in performance, after the deeply disappointing showing of the last campaign in which Bath failed to qualify for top flight European rugby and made little impact in the tournament, except for a win against Leinster.

The new era began with a defensive steel which brought a rare 18-14 win at Northampton Saints thanks thanks to a quartet of George Ford penalties and a pair of drop goals for good measure. Back in Somerset, they recorded a 58-5 win over Newcastle Falcons. repelling some early presssure by the visitors before two early penalties and a penalty try gave them a comfortable 13-0 advantage, whilst a fine kick by Kahn Fotuali'i set up Matt Banahan for the second try, and there was still time for a quickfire double from Rokoduguni, back to his best this season, to secure the bonus point before the interval. Showing that they could score tries from anywhere, and through anyone, it was the turn of the forwards after the break as Attwood claimed his own brace and there were further contributions from Kane Palma-Newport and replacement Elliott Stooke, on debut. Their next match showed the emerging resilience of the side as they recovered from a 17-6 interval deficit at home to Worcester Warriors to score 31 points in the second half. Leroy Houston marked his second debut for the club by setting up Anthony Watson for a try, and Ford's clever kick set up Banahan as Bath took the lead, with the bonus point earnt by scores from Rokoduguni and Houston. 
 
The bright start floundered, however, in a comprehensive 34-14 loss at Leicester Tigers, as the visitors failed to deal with the power of the home forwards, which yielded the second and third tries. They bounced back by coming out on top in a tight match at Kingsholm, earning a 15-6 success as close range pressure was capped by tries for Watson and Banahan, the latter scoring five minutes from time. Back at home, a dominant display against a Sale side who couldn't get a foothold in the game brought a 30-3 win but no try bonus point, with Banahan taking just two minutes to finish off a fast move for the opening score. Bath's advantage in the scrum kept the penalties ticking over, but a fine individual try from Fotuali'i sealed the game and Palma-Newport added a late third. Switching to the European Rugby Challenge Cup, Bath are well-placed, as they won their opening game, 25-22 at Pau, with Rokoduguni getting their only try, before backing it up with a 22-6 home win over Bristol, as the derby made a reappearance for the first time in seven years. There was more late drama as they returned to the Premiership and earnt a 13-10 win at Exeter Chiefs as incessant late pressure was finally capitalised on by Rokoduguni right at the end of the match. 
 
A young side acquitted itself fairly well in a 21-20 home loss to Leicester Tigers, but despite fielding a relatively strong line-up, given the depth of the Bath squad, the second game at Llanelli Scarlets proved to be something of a disappointment, as the visitors lost 44-21 despite holding a 21-9 lead at the break, with the home side taking full advantage of the sin-binning of their former fly half, Rhys Priestland, in the second half. Returning to the Premiership again, they hosted Bristol, in a match which they could have lost but ground out a 16-9 win, with a well-worked move from a rolling maul eventually culminating in Tom Ellis breaking forward to set up former Saracens winger Jack Wilson for a try, but it was their defensive strength, especially in the closing stages, which assured the win. Last week at Harlequins, the home side had much more of the play, but, having absorbed the pressure, a flowing move ended in a converted Palma-Newport try which meant it was 11-10 to Quins at the break, and they led through Nathan Catt's converted score at one point in the second half, but were undone by a late Swiel penalty.
 
Saracens ground out an important win against a Gloucester side who impressed in attack, but they will look to improve on the defensive aspects of their game in time for this pivotal match. Bath have shown a great adaptability, and their ability to withstand sustained pressure in the face of their opponents enjoying more territory and possession nearly earnt a victory at the Stoop last weekend. As ever, Saracens will need to control the scrum and set piece to prevent the ball getting to a backline which has rediscovered its verve again, and be incisive in attack against a side who have impressed defensively. Bath will be forced into a reshuffle for this match, with Semesi Rokoduguni retained in the England 25 at the time of writing, alongside lock Dave Attwood who featured at the Stoop. Replacement Banahan also suffered a knee injury in the same match, a cruel blow for a player in excellent form this season. Given the England  international call ups, it's probably a good time to be playing Bath, although they might say the same about the visitors, though from a home perspective, Fotuali'i has been an impressive signing, adding zip to the attack in the same way Peter Stringer did two seasons ago, and they will hope that the Samoan international is available to play. 
 
A possible line up for Bath has Tom Homer at full back, with Jeff Williams and Wilson on the wings outside a centre partnership of Max Clark and Ben Tapuai. Dan Bowden should be at fly half, with Fotuali'i returning at scrum half. In the forwards, Nathan Catt should start at loosehead, with Ross Batty at hooker and Palma-Newport at tighthead, whilst in the second row, Matt Garvey could team up with Luke Charteris. The back row could comprise of Tom Ellis, Guy Mercer and Taulupe Faletau. For Saracens, a largely unchanged starting XV seems likely with Alex Goode at full back, Mike Ellery and Chris Wyles on the wings, and the centres of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt. Alex Lozowski and Richard Wigglesworth should team up in the half backs. Forwards-wise, Richard Barrington, Schalk Brits and Juan Figallo should form the front row, with Michael Rhodes and Jim Hamilton at lock, and a back row of Kelly Brown, Schalk Burger and Jackson Wray

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THE REC AWAITS
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 01/12/2016 13:17
TheSaracens.com
01/12/2016 13:17
Thanks as always Gerard
Would really LOVE a report from one of travelling supporters ..... please!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:12:14:17:42:33 by Darraghgirl.

The Bard
01/12/2016 20:52
Thanks again, hopefully Maitland will come into the equation for us. We might just see Maro too!

Shouldn't Maitland be back to replace Ellery?

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